Measuring and dispensing device



Aug. 4, 1959 H. OBRIEN BENTON MEASURING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Oct. 25, 1957 ATTD R N EYS United States Patent This invention relates to a device for use in dispensing measured quantities of material such as soap powder. The object of the invention is to provide a device which is adapted to be releasably connected to a container of material so that a predetermined quantity of the material can be conveniently dispensed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide v a measuring and dispensing device which includes a means for releasably connecting the device to a container such as a container or box of soap powder, and whereby upon manual manipulation of the device, a predetermined quantity of the soap powder or other material can be readily dispensed into a desired area or locality.

A further object of the invention is to provide a measuring and dispensing device which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompnaying' drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a container such as a soap box,-and,showing the measuring and dispensing device of the present invention mounted thereon.

Figure 2 is a top Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the box in tilted position as when the device is being loaded with material to be dispensed.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing a modification.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates the measuring and dispensing device of the present invention which includes a rectangular top wall 11 that has a curved wall member 12 extending therefrom. The wall member 12 is provided with an outlet opening 13, and depending from the wall member 12 is a rectangular flange 14.

The dispensing device of the present invention further includes a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed side walls 16, and each of the side walls 16 includes an upper circular portion 17, and a lower portion 18. The lower portions 18 of the side walls 16 extend between the top wall 11 and the flange 14, as shown in the drawings.

There is further provided a rotary drum which is indi cated generally by the numeral 19, and the drum 19 includes a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed end pieces 21, and a cylindrical wall section 22. The Wall section 22 is provided with an opening 23 therein, and the opening 23 is mounted for movement into and out of registry with the opening 13 in the wall member 12 as the drum 19 is rotated.

A manually operable means is provided for rotating plan view of the assembly shown in 2,8 98,01 1 V Patented Aug. 4, 1959 the drum 19 so that the opening 23 can be moved into nd out of registry with the opening 13, and this means comprises a shaft 20 which is connected to the drum 19, there being a hand crank 24 on the outer end of the shaft 20.

The numeral 25 indicates a box or container which is adapted to hold the material being dispensed, and such a box 25 m y be a box of soap powder. A corner of the 26 as shown in the drawings.

A means is provided for releasably connecting or clamping the device '10 to the box 25, and this clamping means is indicated generally by the numeral 27. Each of the 28, and the plates 28 are terial such as soap powder. stood that the present inventlon is not restricted for use be dispensed. In use, the container or box 25 which contains the material being dispensed, is adapted to have position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Then, the crank 24 is manually rotated and this causes the shaft 20 to rotate and since the shaft 20 is connected to the drum 19, it will be seen that the drum 19 will rotate. The openings 23 in the drum 19 can be arranged so that it registers with the cut-out portion 26 cause the opening 23 to move out of registry with the cut-out 26, whereby the opening 23 can be moved into registering with the opening 13, the cylindrical wall section 22 of the 19 prevents any further material from passing through the cut-out 26 so that only a predetermined quantity of material will be discharged or dispensed.

When the device is to be removed, the wing nuts on the bolt and nut assemblies 31 can be loosened so as to permit plates 28 to move away from the flange 14 or wall 11 so that the device can be readily detached from the box. Instead of using the bolt and nut assemblies 32, locking cams 33 as shown in Fig. 6 can be used, and such locking cams 33 can be manually actuated when the device is being clamped onto or when the device is being I removed from the box 25. of the device shown in Fig. described.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

The device can be used over and over again so that when a container of material is empty; the device can be detached and mounted on a fresh or new container. The device will fit on boxes such as soap suds boxes of different sizes and the device can be used for measuring predetermined quantities of such soaps, as for example the device will measure a half-a-cup a turn, so that two turns will give one cup. As the drum rotates, it will fill up with the material and then the material will be If: desired, the device may be made of plastic, or any other suitable material. 7

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

1. In a measuring and dispensing device, a rectangular top wall, a curved wall member extending from said top wall and said wall member being provided with an outlet opening therein, a flange depending from said wall member, a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed side walls, and each of said side walls including upper circular portions adjacent the ends of said wall member, each of said side walls further including a lower portion extending between said top wall and flange, a drum ro- Otherwise, the construction 6 is the same as previously emptied. 1

tatably mounted between the circular portions of said side Walls, said drum including spaced parallel vertically disposed end pieces and a cylindrical wall section having an opening therein, the opening in said drum being mounted for movement into and out of registry with the opening in said wall member, a shaft extending through the circular portions of said side walls and connected to said drum, and a crank connected to said shaft, and clamp means connected to said top Wall and flange, said clamp means comprising pivotally mounted plates arranged contiguous to the inner surface of said top Wall and said flange, teeth on said plates, and securing elements connected to said plates.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said securing elements comprise bolt and nut assemblies.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein securing elements comprise cams.

4. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said device is adapted to be mounted over an opening in a container of material to be dispensed whereby the clamp means can releasably engage portions of the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS said 58,311 Smith Sept. 25, 1866 2,054,743 Fend Sept. 15, 1936 2,122,695 Podwyszynski July 5, 1938 2,518,520 Broun Aug. 15, 1950 2,585,198 Warren Feb. 12, 1952 2,611,516 Beldner Sept. 23, 1952 

